By Mike Taylor
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Walnut — With July 16 officially proclaimed “Sophia B. Clarke Day” in the City of Walnut, the longtime Mt. San Antonio College supporter and community philanthropist was honored at a special musical performance of The Pirates of Penzance in the campus theater that bears her name. Following the Mt. SAC Theater Department production, Clarke was honored for her support and commitment to many projects on the campus and throughout the community. Representatives from the offices of Congressman David Dreier, Assemblyman Bob Huff and L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich were present for the reception, which was hosted by the Pacific Palms Resort. The event also celebrated the 10th anniversary of Mt. SAC’s Performing Arts Center. Clarke, who will turn 96 in November, was the primary contributor to Mt. SAC’s performing arts theater and has a long history with the College. Her association with Mt. SAC began with her concession business selling popcorn at the College’s athletic events. Later, she became a member of the Mt. SAC Foundation and was the major contributor to the construction of the College’s James T. Clarke facility at Brackett Field, which opened in 1991. The $400,000 facility, named after her son, affords classrooms and a hangar for Mt. SAC’s Aircraft Maintenance Program. In September 1996, she participated in the opening ceremonies for the Clarke Theater, for which she donated more than $200,000 for its construction. |
Previously, Clarke was honored by the College as the “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” at the Mt. SAC Friends of the College program in 1989 and received the President’s Special Award at the Foundation awards program in 1993. At the College’s commencement in 1998, she received the first honorary associate’s degree ever given by Mt. SAC and was honored by the YWCA as a “Woman of Achievement” later that year. She also has been committed to a number of other community organizations, including the Pomona Soroptimists, Friends of the Pomona Library, Brackett Field, Fairplex, the Salvation Army and St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Covina. The Mt. SAC production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance was the first public event celebrating Mt. SAC’s 60th anniversary in 2006-07. |